Paul Finebaum suggests 'beginning of the Arch Manning era' at Texas if Quinn Ewers struggles

Paul Finebaum predicts we could see the official beginning of the Arch Manning era for Texas this weekend against the Vanderbilt Commodores.

If Quinn Ewers struggles, similar to the way he did against the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 8, Finebaum believes Steve Sarkisian should have a quick hook and be ready to pivot to Manning when the Longhorns travel to Nashville in Week 9. Once the move is made, you can’t go back to Ewers. Finebaum elaborated during his appearance on Get Up on Friday.

“I’m watching the quarterback situation, because Quinn Ewers was not good last week against Georgia,” Finebaum said, regarding what he’s watching in this weekend’s game for the Longhorns. “Remember, Arch Manning is the No. 2. He’s the best back-up quarterback in America. He could start almost anywhere else.

“So if Ewers struggles, I think he’ll get pulled, or he should get pulled, and we may see the beginning of the Arch Manning era.”

Alas, it wouldn’t be the first time Sarkisian has pulled Ewers for Manning if he does it against Vanderbilt, as he did it this past weekend to try and spark the offense in the second quarter against Georgia. However, it didn’t lead to anything substantial for Texas, and Ewers started the second half for Texas after they fell down 20-0.

The veteran quarterback simply couldn’t get going against the Bulldogs defense, and Manning wasn’t any more effective. Still, Sarkisian and all of Austin knows that the Longhorns have a chance to win a national title in 2024, and they need to turn over every stone to ensure they do their best over the next couple of months.

If Steve Sarkisian believes a quarterback change is necessary, then that’s the road Texas will travel down. While he was able to go back to Quinn Ewers this past weekend, he might not have that opportunity again — once he puts Arch Manning in, many like Finebaum believe the young, enigmatic Manning will be the only choice moving forward.